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@MomoKa avatar @MomoKa · 2w
Plant Journal for Marley (accolade cherry blossom tree) Ok, So I don’t really know much about planting trees much less specfic species. I’ve been learning through trial and error and I hope things will work out good. I wanted to plant some pretty trees in my yard in honor of the special people in my life. I ordered a cherry blossom tree which I have always wanted. I found my ideal spot and called 811 to ensure I wasn’t digging into any lines. I went to the store and bought Ocean forrest soil and happy frog soil, a couple of stakes and and edge. I dug my hole. Removed the existing soil and rocks. We have Very rocky soil here, so digging is kind of a pain. I removed the tree from the pot and put it in and filled the hole with a mixture of the two soils. Then I did some reading online and watched videos about how the root ball should be “untangled“ or loosened if you will because the roots can slowly suffocate the tree so to speak. You also need to expose the root flare otherwise you risk the trunk getting rotten from the wetness and your tree needs to “breathe“. So now I‘m freaking out. Why did I not read first?! I’m surprised that the Arber Day Foundation made no mention if this! I go and dig the tree out. I had to cut into the rootball a little with a knife to get them untangled . I kind of massaged the bottom of the rootball and moved upwards and the larger roots I straightened as best I could because they were wrapping around the base. Then I replanted the tree and covered it back up with soil and watered it.The last week the weather has been rainy so my tree naturally sunk down into the new and looser soil.Another thing I hadn’t thought of. (Doh!) I dug down to find the root flare so my tree can breathe again. I feel like I‘m walking on a thin thread of trying to leave the root flare level or above grade while also trying to keep the smaller roots buried because they‘re growing so close to the flare. Then there is one wonky larger root that wants to stick up towards the sky. I do my best to spot cover that root with extra soil and pray that it gently goes down over time. I also cut the bamboo stake that was taped to the tree on arrival because the tape was so tight it appeared to be cutting off circulation of the trunk. Again, this is something that was never mentioned on the instructions. I have stakes on either side of my tree that are firm but loose enough to allow my tree to bend slightly in the wind which will train the roots to grow strong allegedly. Everything is good to go now. ( I think) However, now the leaves on the tree are brown and crunchy :(. Transplant shock? Overwatering? Apparently cherry blossom trees need soil with lots of drainage. So I will probally add amendments later if I have to even though it will be a PIA. Next steps are to get a soil testing kit, moisture meter, and mulch. I plan on testing the soil and correcting that issue if it needs to be corrected. Hopefully this is temporary and Marley will perk back up soon. What do you think? Does this sound about right? #cherryblossom #tree